Collapsible drying frame for animal pelts



Sept. 13, 1966 1.. T. HEIN GOLLAPSIBLE DRYING FRAME FOR ANIMAL PELTS Filed Oct. 28, 1964 United States Patent 3,271,981 COLLAPSIBLE DRYING FRAME FOR ANIMAL 1 Claim. (Cl. 6919.3)

This invention relates to collapsible drying frames for animal pelts, such as those of mink and other small animals; the pelts being mounted upon the frame with the fur-side facing outwardly.

This drying frame comprises improvements on the frame disclosed and claimed in my Patent 3,137,963, issued June 23, 1964, for a Pelt Drying Frame.

An object of the present invention is to provide a peltdrying frame that is designed to accelerate the drying process of the pelts mounted thereon.

Another object of this invention is to provide a peltdrying frame that supports the pelt with the hair-side outwardly and with a minimum of contact with the surfaces of the frame, thus accelerating the drying process, assuring an overall uniform dried condition, and enhancing the value of the pelts in that they need not be reversed and possibly damaged in the process of turning.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein an embodiment of the invention is shown. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the details disclosed but includes all such variations and modifications as fall within the spirit of the invention.

Referring to the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a broadside view of a pelt-drying frame embracing the invention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary edge view of a portion of the frame of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a section taken at 38 of FIG. 1, showing the preferred cross-sectional form of the legs.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view, including a portion of the disclosure of FIG. 1 upon which a pelt has been mounted, and with parts of the pelt broken away.

FIG. 5 is an edge view of the disclosure of F-IG. 4, with parts removed.

FIG. 6 is a section taken at 6-6 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a modification of the cross-section shown in l'F-IGS. 3 and 6.

FIG. 8 is an additional modification of the cross-section shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, and

FIG. 9 is another modification of the cross-section.

Referring again to the drawing:

The frame generally designated as 10, and preferably made of sheet metal, comprises a nose piece 12, a first leg 14, a second leg 16, a base piece 1 8 and a lever 20. Leg 14 is of a channel shaped cross-section as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, and is riveted or welded to nose piece 12, as at 22. Leg 14 is also welded or otherwise secured to base piece 18, as at 24. Leg 16 is similar to leg 14 but is pivoted to nose piece 12 as at 26. Lever 20 is pivoted to base piece '18 as at 28, and in this instance engages the bottom of the channel of leg 16, and by counterclockwise rotation of the lever 20, leg 16 is pivoted away from leg 14 so that a pelt mounted upon the frame can be made taut for more uniform drying, and be wrinkle-free when dry. A hole 30 in base plate or piece 18 provides the means of hanging the frame 10.

In order to accelerate the drying process and assure uniformity in drying, the legs 14 and 16 are preferably of a channel cross-sectional shape as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6. The rib or head 32 is provided with a suitable radius, and the web portions 34 and 36 diverge from the rib 32 for a distance as shown. Web portions 34 and 36 terminate in increased divergent portions 38 and 40.

An additional and optional means of accelerating the drying process of the pelts comprises the addition of holes 42 spaced longitudinally along legs 14 and 16, and through both webs 3 4 and 36 thereof. In order to assure a uniform drying of the head of the pelt, nose piece 12 may be formed as at 44 and as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5. The function of the forming 44 will be clear from the disclosure of FIGS. 4 and 5, in that the forming provides a necessary air space.

A mink pelt P, or that of some other animal, preparatory to drying is drawn fur-side outwardly, over the legs 14 and 16 of frame 10, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 while leg 16 is biased toward leg 14 as shown by dotted lines, permitted by rotating lever 20 clockwise. When pelt P has been completely drawn over frame 10 the nose portion N of the pelt is hooked over the end of nose piece 12 as shown. Leg 16 is then positioned in engagement with lever 20 and the latter is then rotated counter-clockwise, urging the legs 14 and :16 apart and holding the pelt taut. By virtue of the forming 44, an air space 46 results, thus accelerating drying of the head H.

FIG. 6 illustrates the means provided by which the contour of the legs 14 and 16 also contribute to an acceleration of the drying process. When the pelt P, with the fur side out, has been drawn over the frame 10 which has a cross-sectional contour of that shown in FIG. 3, air passages 48 result. These passages extend substantially the full length of legs 14 and 16 covered by the pelt. A central passage 50 also results and connects with passage 48 by means of holes 42, thus air is permitted to circulate within the pelt; the points of contact between the legs 14 and 16 and the pelt being limited to those comprising the contour of rib 32 and the edges 52 and 54 of the legs.

FIG. 7 shows a modified form of cross-section of the legs in addition to that shown in FIG. 3. Rib 56 has diverging webs 5-8 and 60 which terminate in webs 62 and 64, thus providing air passages 66 and '68 when a pelt has been mounted on the frame.

FIG. 8 shows another modification of the cross-section of the legs 14 and 16 in addition to those shown in FIGS. 3 and 7. Webs 70 and 72 diverge arcuately from rib 74, thus providing air passages 76 and 7-8 when a pelt P has been mounted on the frame 10.

FIG. 9 shows still another modification of the crosssection of 'the legs 14 and 1-6, and comprises a rib portion 80. Webs 82 and 84 extend substantially parallel, and terminate in diverging portions 86 and 88.

It will be clear from the above description, that this invention permits a uniform and a free circulation of air within the pelt P, resulting in a thorough and uniform drying thereof.

The above being a complete description of an illustrative embodiment of the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

A pelt-drying frame having a pair of longitudinal legs lying in a common plane and spaced part, a nose-piece located between and at the lower extremities of said legs, and extending beyond the ends thereof, means connect- Patented Sept. 13, 1966 3 4 ng said legs to said nose-piece, said nose-piece having 3 References Cited by the Examiner Jortion thereof adjacent said connecting means in the UNITED STATES PATENTS plane of said legs and terminating in an end portion the 2,034,130 3/1936 Boyle raid-plane of said end portion being obliquely disposed 2,231,903 2/1941 Graham 69 192 relative to the plane of the first portion of said nose-piece, 5 3,137,963 6/ 1964 i =9 .19 2

said legs being formed of sheet material and having cross sections comprising rib portions having Web portions di- JORDAN FRANKLIN! Prmary Examine"- verging arcuately from said rib portions. A. R. GUEST, Assistant Examiner. 

